Faisal in first message reflects on criticism, success

Ibrahim Faisal, who served as the Maldives' Minister of Tourism, was abruptly removed from his position on Tuesday. The President’s Office did not provide any official explanation for his dismissal. However, in his farewell statement on Thursday, Faisal expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reaffirmed his dedication to the tourism sector.

Faisal, the son of Parliament Speaker and ruling PNC Chairman Abdul Raheem Abdulla, began his statement by thanking President Mohamed Muizzu for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the tourism sector.

“I would like to thank President Mohamed Muizzu for giving me the opportunity to serve the country and Maldivian tourism,” Faisal stated, emphasising that he approached his role with sincerity, passion, and unwavering commitment.

During his time in office, Faisal played a key role in achieving the government's ambitious target of welcoming two million tourists in 2024. He proudly highlighted this milestone, stating, “I was able to bring that joy to the Maldives government and people by listening to the voice of the tourism industry.”

His father, Abdul Raheem, echoed this sentiment, asserting in a phone interview that Faisal had successfully met the goals set by the president. While supporters credited Faisal for his contributions, critics argued that the target could have been achieved regardless of who was in office.

Despite his brief tenure, Faisal was not immune to criticism. One of the most notable controversies surrounding his time in office was his effort to improve his English-speaking skills through tuition. Rather than being disheartened, Faisal took the criticism as a source of encouragement.

“The key fad from the people was a strong encouragement to me to move forward,” he remarked, demonstrating his resilience in the face of public scrutiny.

Faisal expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him during his 438 days as minister. He specifically thanked President Muizzu, fellow ministers, Parliament, and the political staff of the Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, he acknowledged the civil service employees, the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), the National Hotel and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (NHGAM), and the Presidential Adviser on Tourism.

“The support given to me by the tourism industry, MATI, MATATO, and the guesthouse association has been a tremendous force,” Faisal stated, emphasising the collaborative efforts that drive the success of Maldivian tourism.

Although no longer in office, Faisal remains deeply invested in the future of Maldivian tourism. He highlighted the need for a shift towards green tourism and increased youth involvement. His recommendations for the industry included:

Faisal also shared a medium-term vision for the sector:

Faisal concluded his statement with a heartfelt reflection on his commitment to national service.

"Serving the country has always been my greatest joy. It is my biggest dream. It is also my greatest national duty. I wish the country and Maldives tourism to be green and prosperous," he said.